ALABAMA 75, AUBURN 72FEBRUARY 14, 1996BEARD-EAVES-MEMORIAL COLESIUM

Eric Washington scored 21 points and Roy Rogers added 20 to lead Alabama over Auburn 75-72 before a sellout crowd of 10,108 in Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum. Alabama scored only six points in the final nine minutes, but limited the Tigers to 28.6 percent shooting in the second half. Auburn had several opportunities to control the game, grabbing 12 more offensive rebounds in the contest and attempting 18 more shots in the second half. Despite poor shooting, Auburn had a chance to tie the game late. Wes Flanigan converted a free throw after being fouled on a successful 3-point attempt with 21.5 seconds left to narrow Alabama’s lead to one, 73-72. Marco Whitfield hit both ends of a one-and-one, pushing the Tide’s lead back to three. Flanigan launched an errant 3-point attempt with :08 left that rimmed in and out. The rebound grazed Alabama’s Brian Williams before falling out of bounds, giving the Tigers one last chance. Flanigan missed another 3-point shot in heavy traffic as time expired. Auburn led early, but Alabama closed the first half with a 17-8 run and led at intermission, 42-39. Auburn cut Alabama’s lead to one on three occasions in the second half, but could not get closer. Flanigan led Auburn with 20 points and four assists. Ray Donald scored 14 points and Pat Burke added 11.